Garment carrier

ABSTRACT

A garment carrier comprises an outer backing portion, an inner cover portion arranged over an inner surface of the outer backing portion to form a compartment for receiving a garment between the outer backing portion and the inner cover portion. A resilient frame inhibits folding of the garment carrier and biases the garment carrier to a generally flat unrolled configuration. The garment carrier is adapted to be rolled from the unrolled configuration into a hollow rolled configuration and fastened in the rolled configuration using a fastening mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a garment carrier and in particular, to a garment carrier for travelers carrying suits and other formal dress wear.

2. Background Art

Carrying formal dress wear garments, such as suits, can be difficult while travelling. In order to prevent the garment from being creased or crushed, a garment bag sized to fit the garment without folder is typically used. However such garment bags can be awkward for the user to carry and also may not meet carry-on baggage size requirements for travelling by commercial airline.

Traditional garment bags are designed either for the garment to remain hanging upright without folder or for the garment bag to be folded at least once to create a more traditionally sized item of luggage. However, even when folded once, garment bags are often too large to fit in the overhead or under seat luggage compartments of commercial airlines. As a result of the garment bag being doubled over on itself, creasing or crushing of the garment at the fold line is common when a traditional garment bag is used.

Existing garment carriers are available in which a rigid cylindrical core is used. The garment is rolled around the outer surface of the cylindrical core to reduce wrinkling of the garment during travel. However, because the garment carrier is required to be rolled around a solid core, wrinkling still occurs. Similarly, because of the requirement for multiple components including cylindrical core, these garment carriers tend to be inflexible, stiff, heavy and bulky. The complex design also tends to be expensive to manufacture and can be complicated for users to assemble and are difficult to adapt for different needs.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or to provide a useful alternative.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a garment carrier comprising:

-   -   an outer backing portion;     -   an inner cover portion arranged over an inner surface of the         outer backing portion to form a compartment for receiving a         garment between the outer backing portion and the inner cover         portion; and     -   a resilient frame that inhibits folding of the garment carrier         and biases the garment carrier to a generally flat unrolled         configuration; and     -   a fastening mechanism, wherein the garment carrier is adapted to         be rolled from the unrolled configuration into a rolled         configuration and fastened in the rolled configuration using the         fastening mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment, the resilient frame comprises two generally parallel lateral stiffening ribs and generally two parallel flexible and resilient elongated straps.

Preferably, the resilient frame is a component of the outer backing portion.

Further preferably, the garment carrier comprises a gusseted upper section between the outer backing portion and the inner cover portion for receiving a coat hanger.

In one optional embodiment, the gusseted upper section is curved with the outer backing portion radially outward relative to the inner cover portion so that the curved upper section assists in rolling the garment carrier into the rolled configuration. Further optionally, the gusseted upper section is formed from moulded plastic or bonded foam.

The garment carrier may further comprise a clothes hanger attachment provided at an apex of the gusseted upper section.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner cover portion is formed from polyvinyl chloride or another plastic material.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner cover portion is formed at least in part with a plastic material that is adapted to hold an electrostatic charge that allows the inner cover portion to adhere to the garment by electrostatic forces.

Optionally, the garment carrier further comprises a clothes hanger detachable mounted in the compartment.

Preferably, the garment carrier further comprises a zip mechanism provided on the inner cover portion for providing closable access to the compartment between the outer baking portion and the inner cover portion.

Further preferably, the garment carrier further comprises a shoulder strap attachable to the garment carrier for carrying the garment carrier in the rolled configuration.

Optionally, the garment carrier further comprises a cover adapted to enclose the garment carrier in the rolled configuration.

Preferably, the garment carrier further comprises a generally cylindrical bag adapted to be releasably secured to the inner cover portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of specific example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment carrier in an unrolled configuration;

FIG. 2 depicts the garment carrier of FIG. 1 with the inner cover portion open;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternative garment carrier in an unrolled configuration;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the garment carrier of FIG. 3 in a rolled configuration;

FIG. 5 depicts a carry sack for containing the garment carrier of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an inner side view of an alternative garment carrier in an unrolled configuration;

FIG. 7 depicts a frame of the garment carrier of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an outer side view of the garment carrier of FIG. 7 in an unrolled configuration;

FIG. 9 is an inner side view of the garment carrier of FIG. 7 in an unrolled configuration with a detachable bag; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of the garment carrier of FIG. 7 in a rolled configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As depicted in FIG. 1, one embodiment of a garment carrier 10 comprises a resilient outer backing portion 12 and a flexible inner cover portion 14 arranged over the inner surface of the outer backing portion 12. As best shown in FIG. 2, the outer backing portion 12 and the inner cover portion 14 form a compartment 16 for receiving a garment 18 between the outer backing portion 12 and the inner cover portion 14. A zip mechanism 20 provided in the inner cover portion 14 allows a user to access the compartment 16 to place a garment 18 in, and remove the garment 18 from, the compartment 16.

Returning to FIG. 1, the garment carrier 10 has an upper section 22 with a moulded gusset panel 24 between the outer backing portion 12 and the inner cover portion 14. The gusset panel 24 spaces the inner cover portion 14 from the outer backing portion 12 and allows a profiled hanger to be accommodated within the upper section 22 of the garment carrier 10. As shown in FIG. 2, a hanger 26 is detachably mounted to a hanger attachment 25 provided at the apex of the moulded gusset panel 24. In this way, the hanger 26 is detachably secured within the upper section 22. In order to strengthen the upper section 22, the gusset panel 24 is typically formed from a moulded plastic material or bonded foam.

The flexible inner cover portion 14 is typically formed from a clear flexible plastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). A stiffening rib 28 is also provided extending across the breadth of the garment carrier 10 at the base of the upper section 22. This provides structural support across the breadth of the garment carrier 10 at the upper section 22.

As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the garment carrier 10 is designed to be rolled from the flat configuration shown in FIG. 3 to the rolled configuration shown in FIG. 4. This is achieved by rolling one end of the garment carrier 10 inwardly on itself until the garment carrier 10 forms the rolled configuration shown in FIG. 4. In the embodiment depicted, the garment carrier 10 is rolled starting with the gusseted upper section 22 of the garment carrier 10. In alternative embodiments, the garment carrier 10 can be rolled starting with the lower end of the garment carrier 10.

In order to provide the required resilience in the outer backing portion 12, the outer backing portion 12 is typically formed from a rubber or bonded foam material that is sufficiently resilient to inhibit creasing of the garment carrier 10 when the garment carrier 10 is rolled on itself to form the rolled configuration depicted in FIG. 4.

As best depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, in one embodiment, the gusseted upper section 22 is curved with the outer backing portion 12 arranged radially outward relative to the inner cover portion 14, so that the curved upper section 22 assists in rolling the garment carrier 10 into the rolled configuration.

A fastening mechanism 30, depicted here as simple clips and loops, is provided for fastening the garment carrier 10 in the rolled configuration. Once in the rolled configuration, the garment carrier is fastened by securing the clips to the respective loops of the fastening mechanism 30. This maintains the garment carrier 10 in the rolled configuration during storage or transport of the garment carrier 10. Alternate fastening mechanisms, such as straps or hook and loop fasteners, can also be used in alternate embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 5, the garment carrier 10 can be stored in a carry sack 32 with shoulder straps 34 and a drawstring 36, so a user can carry the garment carrier 10 on their back. In this way the garment carrier 10 can be carried while cycling, walking or during other activities requiring use of both hands.

The garment carrier 10 allows a user to store a garment 18 in a conveniently size carrier that can be easily carried by hand. The garment carrier 10 can also be easily accommodated in luggage compartments of airlines and other transit vehicles and can be stored in a carry sack 32 to enable the garment carrier 10 to be worn on a user's back. These advantages are provided while keeping the garment 18 in a ready-to-wear condition, by inhibiting folding of the garment carrier 10 and hence, creasing of the garment 18.

As depicted in FIGS. 6 to 10, starting with FIG. 6, another embodiment of a garment carrier 100 has a top end 101 and a bottom end 102. The garment carrier 100 is formed from a resilient outer backing portion 103 and a flexible inner cover portion 104. The inner cover portion 104 includes a first zip mechanism 106 that defines a flap 108 that when unfastened creates an opening that allows access to an interior compartment of the garment carrier 100 between the outer backing portion 103 and the inner cover portion 104.

The garment carrier further includes a gusset panel 110 at the top end 101 of the garment carrier 100 that separates the outer backing portion 103 and the inner cover portion 104. The gusset panel 110 allows various sizes of garment hangers to be accommodated in the interior compartment of the garment carrier 100.

A hanger loop, formed from two “hook/loop” fastener straps 112, is installed on the interior surface of the gusset panel 110 to allow a garment hanger to be attached to and hang from the gusset panel 110 in the interior compartment. A slit 113 is provided in the gusset panel 110 allowing the two straps 112 to pass through the slit 113 and project from the outer surface of the gusset panel 110. The two hook/loop fastener straps 112 can be joined to form a loop by engaging opposing hook/loop fastener surfaces of the straps 112 together. The loop is then adapted to receive the hook of a garment hanger to allow the garment to hang within the interior compartment.

Alternatively, the hook/loop fastener straps can be joined to form a loop around a coat hanger rail of a wardrobe or closet, allowing the carrier bag to hang from the rail. As a further alternative, a coat hanger hook can be passed through the slit 113 to allow use of the hook to hang the carrier bag on a coat hanger rail.

The outer backing portion 103 has an arrangement of internal pockets 114 formed within the outer backing portion 103 that house a resilient frame 116, shown separately in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the frame 116 is stitched in place between fabric layers of the outer backing portion 103.

A first patch of hook/loop fastener material 115 is provided on the outer backing portion 103 in the interior compartment of the garment carrier 100, for securing the flap 108, the operation of which is discussed in more detail below.

Turning to FIG. 7, the frame 116 comprises two elongate strips 118 formed from a flexible and resilient plastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and two stiffening ribs 120. In this embodiment, the stiffening ribs 120 are also formed from PVC but are dimensioned to have greater thickness than the elongate strips 118 and are therefore more rigid than the elongate strips 118. Other materials and/or dimensions may be used to provide a frame with resilient strips and relatively stiffer cross-ribs. Many other designs of frames are possible that would provide stiffening across the width of the garment carrier and resilience against the garment carrier from top to bottom of vice versa.

Other features of the garment carrier 100 are depicted in FIG. 8, including a top handle 122, a shoulder strap 124, a closable compartment 126 with a second zip mechanism 125, sweat pad 128, out straps 130 and buckle mechanisms 132. A second patch of hook/loop fastener material 133 is provided towards the top end 101 of the garment carrier 100 on the outer backing portion 103, the operation of which will be discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 9 depicts the garment carrier 100 with the flap 108 fastened in place by the closed zip mechanism 106, enclosing the garment in the interior compartment. The garment carrier 100 further comprises a detachable bag 134 that can be attached to the garment carrier 100 near the top end 101 via one or more strap and buckle mechanisms 136. A third patch of hook/loop fastener material 138 is provided near the bottom end 102 of the garment carrier on the flap 108 of the inner cover portion 104. The third patch 138 has an opposite hook/loop configuration to the first and second patches 115, 133 so that the third patch 138 can be fastened to either of the first and second patches 115, 133 by pressing on patch against the other.

In use, a suit or other garment is placed between the outer backing portion 103 and the inner cover portion 104 via the opening created by unfastening the first zip mechanism 106. The garment can either be arranged on a hanger, in which case the hanger is hooked to the hanger loop 112, or laid freely in the garment carrier 100. The flap 108 is then zip fastened to cover the opening and retain the garment in the interior compartment between the outer backing portion 103 and the inner cover portion 104.

With the garment carrier 100 laying flat in an unrolled configuration with the inner cover portion 104 facing upwards and starting at the top end 101, the garment carrier 100 is rolled towards the bottom end 102, creating the rolled configuration shown in FIG. 10. The resilient elongate strips 118 are biased to their natural flat state and inhibit folding of the garment carrier 100 as it is rolled. This results in a coiled rolled configuration that inhibits folding of the garment carrier 100.

In the rolled configuration, the second patch of hook/loop fastener material 133 engages the third patch of hook/loop fastener material 138, which assists in holding the garment carrier 100 in the rolled configuration and prevents lateral movement of the top end 101 relative to the bottom end 102.

The outer straps 130 can then be drawn to engage the two components of the buckle mechanisms 132, thereby securing the garment carrier 100 in the rolled configuration. In the rolled configuration, the garment carrier 100 can be comfortably carried either by hand or over a shoulder using the shoulder strap 124.

In the unrolled configuration shown in FIG. 6, with the flap 108 unfastened, the flap 108 itself can be rolled upwards towards the bottom end of 102 of the garment carrier 100. When fully rolled, the third patched of hook/loop fastener material 138 can be engaged with the first patch of hook/loop fastener material 115 to hold the rolled flap 108 within the interior compartment of the garment carrier 100.

The inner cover portion 14, 104 of either embodiment may be formed with a flexible material that is adapted to hold an electrostatic charge, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC and various other materials have a natural tendency to accumulate a negative electrostatic charge, as indicated by the ‘−’ symbols on the inside of 108 in FIG. 6. Many common garments, such as woollen suits, have a natural tendency to accumulate a positive electrostatic charge and would therefore be attracted to the inner cover portion 14, 104. The electrostatic attraction created between the garment and the inner cover portion 14, 104 assist in holding the garment against the inner cover portion 14, 104 and further inhibits creasing and wrinkling of the garment. Many other suitable materials with similar electrostatic properties may be used in place of PVC, which would perform the same function of attracting various types of garments. In addition, a cloth of suitable material may be provided to impart an electrostatic charge to the inner cover portion 14, 104 by rubbing the cloth on the inner cover portion 14, 104.

The above embodiments of garment carriers 10, 100 provide a garment carrier that reduces the amount of creasing and wrinkling of garments that occur when garments are transported in conventional luggage. By inhibiting folding of the garment, far less creasing and wrinkling occurs. Advantageously, the garment is not pressed against any rigid surfaces of the garment carrier, which further inhibits creasing and wrinkling The garment carrier is compact and easy to carry either by hand or over a shoulder and can be hung in the unrolled configuration by a number of different means.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms including different combinations of select features of both embodiments described above. 

1. A garment carrier comprising: an outer backing portion; an inner cover portion arranged over an inner surface of the outer backing portion to form a compartment for receiving a garment between the outer backing portion and the inner cover portion; and a resilient frame that inhibits folding of the garment carrier and biases the garment carrier to a generally flat unrolled configuration; and a fastening mechanism, where in the garment carrier is adapted to be rolled from the unrolled configuration into a rolled configuration and fastened in the rolled configuration using the fastening mechanism.
 2. The garment carrier of claim 1 wherein the resilient frame comprises two generally parallel lateral stiffening ribs and two generally parallel flexible and resilient elongate straps.
 3. The garment carrier of claim 2 wherein the resilient frame is a component of the outer backing portion.
 4. The garment carrier of any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a gusseted upper section between the outer backing portion and the inner cover portion for receiving a coat hanger.
 5. The garment carrier of claim 4 wherein the gusseted upper section is curved with the outer backing portion radially outward relative to the inner cover portion, so that the curved upper section assists in rolling the garment carrier into the rolled configuration.
 6. The garment carrier of claim 4 or 5 wherein the gusseted upper section is formed from moulded plastic or bonded foam.
 7. The garment carrier of anyone of claims 4 to 6 further comprising a clothes hanger attachment provided at an apex of the gusseted upper section.
 8. The garment carrier of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the inner cover portion is formed from polyvinyl chloride or another plastic material.
 9. The garment carrier of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the inner cover portion is formed at least in part with a plastic material that is adapted to hold an electrostatic charge that allows the inner cover portion to adhere to the garment by electrostatic forces.
 10. The garment carrier of any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising a clothes hanger detachably mounted in the compartment.
 11. The garment carrier of any one of claims 1 to 10 further comprising a zip mechanism provided on the inner cover portion for providing closable access to the compartment between the outer backing portion and the inner cover portion.
 12. The garment carrier of any one of claims 1 to 11 further comprising a shoulder strap attachable to the garment carrier for carrying the garment carrier in the rolled configuration.
 13. The garment carrier of any one of claims 1 to 12 further comprising a cover adapted to enclose the garment carrier in the rolled configuration.
 14. The garment carrier of any one of claims 1 to 13 further comprising a generally cylindrical bag adapted to be releasably secured to the inner cover portion. 